Nifty & thrifty: Tough economy fosters rise of secondhand shopping

The Stuart Weitzman sling-backs were the perfect fit for the young woman browsing the shoe aisle. And for $19.99 -- a fifth of the retail cost -- the pumps in perfect condition were also the perfect price. The used, or "gently loved," shoes were one of many dynamite deals at the Southaven Goodwill on Stateline near Millbranch.

Because in today's economy paying full price is so passé a new generation of "recessionistas" are discovering secondhand stores. Fortunately, transitioning from retail to resale is easy once you understand the secondhand scene.

"The difference in what makes a thrift store work or what makes Goodwill work is that we process our merchandise so frequently. Every day it's fresh," said Keith Chapman, director of operations for the north Mississippi Goodwill stores.

Goodwill uses a color-coded system to track merchandise. For example, if an item at the Horn Lake or Southaven store hasn't sold after three weeks, it is shipped to the Goodwill Bargain Barn in Hernando, where apparel is sold by the pound. Because merchandise moves swiftly, Chapman encourages customers to stop by weekly.

Goodwill, one of the biggest nonprofit resale chains, takes donations from the public. The items with working zippers, no prominent rips or stains and in reasonably good condition make it to the showroom. Prices range from about $2 for infant sizes up to $19.99 for luxury brands.

Roughly 60 percent of the clothes are women's apparel, and thanks to school uniform requirements, there's an abundance of good-condition white shirts and bottoms in khaki, navy and black.

"The thrift store to the consignment store is totally different," she explained. "The prices are lower at the thrift store, but you really have to hunt for things."

Whereas thrift stores often organize a mass of merchandise by color, secondhand consignment stores may organize them by size and usually carry only selected, in-season styles.

Whitherspoon, 58, who works in the banking industry, frequents Simply Divine, the plus-size consignment store at 699 Mendenhall. She also checks out the accessories at The Clothes Line, the resale shop above Simply Divine that carries Misses sizes. Whitherspoon praises the personal attention she gets at Simply Divine.

Store owner Barbara Askew, who has been in the consignment business for more than a decade, said she has an eye for fashions that flatter full-figured women, and she often suggests outfits to customers.

"We also beg them to try everything on," said Askew. "Since it's a no-refund, no-exchange store, we do caution everybody to be careful."

In the consignment business, the provider of the merchandise gets a fee when the item sells, so many consignment shops have a no-refund policy. Also, since the shop owner must pay the consignor, the prices in resale consignment shops are more than in thrift stores, but still often half of retail.

With its plus-size fashion focus, Simple Divine is one of the many niche resale shops on the market. Plato's Closet, a national resale chain with locations in East Memphis and Cordova, caters to teens. Its sister store in Cordova, Once Upon a Child, carries everything for infants and children "but car seats and underwear," said owner Paul Fermi.

For devoted followers of recession chic, there is the ultra-posh, upscale resale Celery on Brookhaven Circle in East Memphis.

"Here, you will find labels that you see in the magazines. Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Prada. All boutique pieces. Very little from department stores," said owner Leslie Robison.

One of her newer pieces is a silk, emerald-green halter dress by designer-to-the-stars Monique Lhuillier. Estimated at $3,000, Robison is selling the like-new party dress for $900.

Since she bought the boutique four years ago, Robison has expanded the store's customer base to hip, young trendsetters. The profile of resale shops like Celery continue to rise with the economic downturn and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's recent shout-out to her favorite consignment store in Anchorage, said Robison.

But there is a flip side to the resale resurgence, added Robison.

"We do have a loyal list of dedicated customers, who are not too happy about the secret getting out."

Cathryn Stout

Buying for less

The difference between a consignment store and a thrift store?

Thrift stores sell donated items for about a tenth of retail prices. Resale consignment stores pay consignors for their merchandise and sell high-quality secondhand items to the public for about half the price of retail.

When is the best time to shop at resale stores? Saturdays are the biggest drop-off days for resale stores. So instead of shopping on Saturdays, check them out on the next business day when the bulk of the new inventory has been processed and stocked. Also, with spring cleaning season near, fresh inventory will pour in this month.

What items are plentiful at resale shops? Think basics-- black skirts and pants, blouses in all styles and suit jackets for all seasons. Many resale shops also have an impressive collection of evening gowns, accessories and even wedding dresses.

Can I give an item purchased at a resale store as a gift? Yes, if you know your loved-one is into the secondhand scene. Be sure to include a note with the gift noting that it came from a resale store, any memories the piece inspires and why you thought the receiver would appreciate it.